Notable Red Tail Pilots

2012-01-22T08:20:00.000-06:00

I did a little research and found some notable Red Tail Pilots

Benjamin Davis Davis (1913-2002) was the first African-American in the 20th century to graduate from West Point, and after graduating in Tuskegee's first cadet class, he became one of the first African-Americans to serve as a flying officer in the US Army Air Corps. He commanded the 332nd Fighter Group in 1943, which became known as the best escort operators in the 15th Air Force. His efforts to repel discrimination culminated in 1949 when the Air Force became the first racially integrated branch of the U.S. Armed Services. In October 27, 1949, he was promoted to brigadier general, becoming the Air Force's first black general.

Tuskegee Airman Spann Watson rose to level of Lieutenant Colonel after the Air Force he joined the Federal Aviation Administration as an equal opportunity specialist. A strong supporter of youth, he has been responsible for more than 30 youngsters winning appointments to the three major service academies. He has been instrumental in helping hundreds of minorities gain employment, including 483 airline flight attendants and first-time pilots. Indeed, it is a matter of historical record that, during the late 1940's, Spann Watson played a key role in developing an integration plan for the Armed Forces that became the nation's official policy.

Daniel "Chappie" James  (1920-1978)

James was the first African-American four-star general in the history of the USAF. He became a member of the Tuskegee Airmen in July 1943, and during the Korean Conflict he flew 101 combat missions in the P-51 and F-80. In 1966, was named vice commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing in Thailand and flew 78 combat missions over North Vietnam.

It was interesting to note the influence of Eleanor Roosevelt  

The First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was very interested in the work at the Tuskegee Institute, particularly in the aeronautical school. In 1941 she visited Tuskegee Army Air Field and asked to take a flight with one of the Tuskegee pilots. Although the Secret Service was anxious about the ride, flight instructor Charles A. Anderson piloted Roosevelt over the skies of Alabama for more than an hour. That flight proved for Roosevelt that blacks could fly airplanes, and she did everything in her power to help them in that endeavor. Roosevelt marked the occasion with a photograph of herself and Anderson, which she promptly brought back to her husband, the President of the United States, and successfully urged him to utilize the 99th Squadron in combat missions.

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Notable Red Tail Pilots